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Murray named dean at Harvard University

Cherry Murray portrait (Download Image)

Cherry Murray

The Harvard Corporation has announced that it has selected Cherry Murray, principal associate director for Science and Technology, to be dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University, George Miller announced Tuesday in an administrative memo. Murray also will become the John A. and Elizabeth S. Armstrong Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The appointment is effective July 1.

Murray has had oversight of the Laboratory’s scientific and technical programs and the quality of science and technology Laboratory–wide since she joined the Lab in 2004. She served as the deputy director for Science and Technology from 2004 to 2007 and then was named as key personnel for the contract proposal, becoming the principal associate director for Science and Technology under Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS) management in 2007.

Murray has been a dedicated proponent and architect of the Laboratory’s strategic science and technology vision, and has successfully championed strong partnerships with government, academia and private industry, Miller said.

"She is an internationally recognized premier scientist and she has made substantial contributions to the Laboratory. She has been a critical force in focusing the Laboratory's science and technology capabilities on the major challenges facing our country in national security, energy and environmental and economic sustainment," Miller added. "I know Cherry will be a tremendous asset to Harvard University. She will be greatly missed here at the Laboratory."

The position of principal associate director for Science and Technology will be posted and a screening committee will be appointed.

In a letter to colleagues across the Lab, Murray said she sees a bright future for the Laboratory as a result of a major new focus on energy and environmental security in the Department of Energy (DOE); a continued need for national security S&T; nuclear/WMD counterterrorism and verification technologies; and a pressing need for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) labs’ ability to work with industry to further U.S. economic security.

"I have regrets about leaving LLNL and the friends and colleagues I have made here, but I know there is considerable ‘bench strength’ at LLNL and outstanding leadership in S&T," Murray said in the letter. "As you know, the Lab has experienced significant challenges and changes as well as adjustment to declining budgets, but I do believe the Laboratory’s vitality and strategic vision for the future is promising. The S&T 100-Day Plan, soon to be rolled out, will set the agenda for growth in some major new initiatives. The Lab has already reprioritized its efforts in many areas, including attracting and hiring postdocs and soon will be investing in focused science and engineering fundamentals that will underlie the new initiatives.

"I am continually impressed by the Lab’s outstanding employees and your ability to work as teams to perform S&T that could not happen elsewhere. I have learned an enormous amount about national security and the NNSA labs in my short five years at LLNL. I will continue to be a strong supporter of the NNSA labs, the missions of national and energy/environmental security and LLNL in particular."

March 13, 2009